I’m delighted today to be joining the blog tour for The House of Light and Shadows by Lauren Westwood, and sharing my review. Published on 18th February by Boldwood Books (and isn’t that cover stunning?), this book is now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. Thank you, as always, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading e-copy (provided via Netgalley).
I haven’t read a book from Lauren before – and when I took a look at her Amazon author page (you’ll find it here) I really wondered how on earth she’d managed to evade my radar for so long when her books look so enticing. This is the fourth standalone book in her Secrets and Love collection – and everything told me it would be a book I’d enjoy…
An atmospheric and captivating old-house mystery, layered with romance and secrets.
Secrets lurk in the shadows at Rookswood House…
When Kate goes to look after her estranged sister’s children in their creepy old house, she takes a photo of what seems to be a ghost. Frightened yet intrigued, Kate undertakes to uncover the secrets of the house and the two mysterious sisters who lived there over a hundred years before.
But like the illusions of light and shadow in the sisters’ strange and disturbing Victorian post-mortem photography, Kate discovers that all is not what it seems. Someone – or something – has their own plans for Rookswood House – and for Kate.
With a potential developer circling around, her teenage niece in danger from an unseen force, and new love on the horizon, Kate must unravel the secrets and lies of her own and Rookswood’s past before she loses everything she holds dear.
If you like historical mysteries by Eve Chase, Rachel Burton and Harriet Evans, you’ll love Lauren Westwood.
“Atmospheric” and “captivating” certainly sum up my reading experience with this rather stunning book – a particularly compelling dual time story centred on a dilapidated mansion, with exceptionally well-handled paranormal elements, the stories of both pairs of sisters – in the past and present day – perfectly balanced and equally compelling.
Although long estranged, a phone call from their school summons Kate to care for her sister Emma’s children, Max and Izzy – a pair of sometimes difficult teens who she really doesn’t know – while her sister recovers in hospital following a freak accident. The reasons for the distance between them gradually emerges – and the situation that forced them apart remains painful as they attempt to rebuild their relationship. Emma and the children are living in the gatehouse of Rookwood House – a near ruin that she and her now absent husband have purchased with a view to restoring it to its former glory, but those plans are now in tatters.
The former residents of Rookwood House were two sisters, Adaline and Camille, pioneers in the world of Victorian photography, who became known as the Weird Sisters because of the nature of their work. And when Kate finds exploring their mysterious home irresistible, it seems that one of their spirits might still be present – although there could be more prosaic reasons for some of the more disturbing moments – and that there is a mystery to solve before they can finally leave.
The story is told from two viewpoints – Kate herself as she uncovers the secrets of the past while dealing with the challenges of the present, and the eldest Victorian sister Adaline as she enlists her help in resolving the mystery that has prevented her from finding rest. While there are those who are as committed as Kate to untangling the complex threads, there are others who are less scrupulous and with a vested interest in driving ahead with demolition of the property that Emma can no longer afford, willing to resort to dirty tricks to achieve their ends. And things are further complicated for Kate by the need to look after Max and Izzy – one of them apparently smiling and compliant, the other considerably more resistant and difficult to engage with.
Through Adaline’s story, we learn a lot about the Victorian appetite for photographs using special effects – while her father’s work catered to more salacious appetites, her speciality became taking on individual commissions, often involving an edge of danger in achieving the effects demanded. The author’s depth of research is clearly evident – and the depth of detail absolutely fascinating.
There’s an element of romance in both stories – in Adaline’s case it’s more akin to obsession, leading to a rift with her sister that was never resolved before their death. In Kate’s case, the romance is rather gentler, distinctly unexpected but particularly convincing and nicely handled. But the book’s main emphasis is on those damaged sisterly relationships – nicely mirrored in both stories – focusing on the bonds that tie them together, the events that drove them apart, and the forgiveness that’s needed to move on.
The supernatural elements are superbly done, more than a tad unsettling – in fact, if you’re of a nervous disposition, there are a few moments that you might find rather disturbing (I certainly did… so do learn from my experience, and don’t start reading this one at night!). But as the story developed, I could instead appreciate how skilfully the author managed the story’s twists and turns, built the atmosphere with events grounded in present day reality but with others defying rational explanation, providing Kate with the clues she needed to disentangle the full story. The author also builds a lot of sympathy with the restless presence – and the story’s conclusion was both emotional and entirely perfect.
I’ll admit that had I realised the extent of the book’s supernatural content, it might not have been a book I’d have chosen to read – but I’m so delighted I did, because I’ve found an author whose sheer originality and superb writing impressed me at every turn. Setting aside the nightmares – and things did get considerably more comfortable after that first sleepless night – this was a book I very much enjoyed and would thoroughly recommend to others.
About the author
Lauren Westwood is a bestselling author of emotional romance and women’s fiction. Her signature ‘old house’ romances feature quirky houses, intelligent heroines, and historical mysteries. Lauren’s books invite you to come on an emotional journey to unravel the secrets of the past and discover the magic of new love.
Lauren’s previous novels include: The House of Second Chances, The House of Hidden Secrets, The House of Love and Dreams, Moonlight on the Thames, The Little Paris Toyshop, My Mother’s Silence (shortlisted for the Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award), The Daughter She Lost, and My Secret Sister. Many of her books have been published internationally. She is also an award-winning children’s author (writing as Laurel Remington).
Originally from California, Lauren now lives in the UK in a characterful old house built in 1604.
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Ooh sounds like a great read!